Prasat Krawan is located in the east of
Angkor Wat and south of Banteay Kdei. A enter and depart from the eastTip: The reliefs in this tower are best viewed in the morning when the
east light enters the door, in the afternoon they are barely visible.
It was built in the first half of the tenth century (921) by Completed during
the reign of Harshavarman 1 (it may have been built by high court officials) in
Hindu religion with following transitional from Bakheng to Koh Ker.BACKGROUND
The main point of interest at Kravan is the sculpture on the interior of two of
the five towers depicting Visnu and his consort, Laksmi; the scene in the
central tower is the most impressive one. These carvings in brick on the
interior of a monument are unique in Khmer architecture.
This temple was reconstructed by the French and given a new foundation, interior
walls and drains. Some broken bricks were replaced with carefully made
reproductions which are marked with the letters CA; representing the Angkor
Conservancy These can be seen, for example, on both the interior and exterior of
the tower on the right.LAYOUT
Kravan is an unusual arrangement of five towers in a row on one terrace. They
are built of brick; the lintels and columns are of sandstone.CENTRAL TOWER
This is the only tower with recessed tiers intact, which are visible on the
interior. The columns are octagonal, with four bare sides and sandstone rings.
This tower enclosed a linga on a pedestal. An inscription on the pillars gives
the date 921 for the erection of the statue of Visnu on the interior Decoration
(exterior): The east side of the Central Tower is sculpted with male guardians
in shallow niches and chevrons and framed figures on the pilasters. A frieze of
small heads adorns the lintel. Decoration (interior): The main decoration of
this tower, on the left, depicts Visnu taking three steps to span the universe
and to assure the gods of the possession of the world. It comprises a standing
image of Visnu (with four arms) carrying his attributes-a disc, a ball, a conch
and a club. One of his feet rests on a pedestal; nearby a person is meditating
and another one is walking on a lotus held by a woman on a background of
undulating lines representing the waves of the ocean. On the right, Visnu (with
eight arms) is framed with six registers of people meditating and a giant
lizard. This sculpture on brick was formerly coated with stucco and was probably
highlighted with colours.NORTH TOWER
This temple was dedicated to Laksmi, wife of Siva. She holds the symbols of her
powers in her four hands and is flanked by kneeling admirers, the niche with
multiple lobes is decorated with tassels and floral swags.SOUTH TOWER
The walls on the interior have no decoration A lintel on the exterior with Visnu
on his mount, the Garuda, is skillfully modeled.